multi-modal transportation transportation

Multi-Modal Transportation Transportation

City of West Melbourne Volume I: Planning Framework MMT- Horizon 2030 Comprehensive Plan Adopted October, 2010

Background The foundation for any discussion regarding community linkages is the transportation system. A city’s transportation system determines how people travel within and through a community. The transportation system addresses the issues related to vehicular dependence by determining how to improve linkages between and within activity centers. By enhancing these linkages, people will begin to view walking and biking as viable alternatives to driving. In most cases when the connections between places are designed to make cars the most efficient mode of transportation, they decrease the viable options for biking or walking. A multi-modal transportation system addresses this issue through:

Land use and transportation policies which promote community connectivity, alternative models of transportation, and mixed use developments.

Redevelopment efforts focused on improved community connectivity.

The Multi-Modal Transportation Element sets the framework for the establishment of a multimodal system which consists of a variety of transportation resources including roadways, sidewalks, bike trails, pedestrian pathways, and mass public transportation. The Multi-Modal Transportation Element ensures that land development practices and transportation projects promote community connectivity and provide multi-modal alternatives to meet the many needs of varied users and competing uses.

Multi-Modal Framework

Three components of West Melbourne’s Multi-Modal Transportation Framework are: 1) Support the city’s

quality of life through a highly interconnected, multi-modal transportation system.

2) Provide for the safety and comfort of all users of the West Melbourne’s transportation services such as pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and motorists.

3) Promote an array of

Planning Framework The objectives and policies established in the Multi-Modal Transportation Element provide the foundation for a planning framework which:

Promotes mixed-use public transportation areas that improve walkability.

Establishes development requirements for mixed-use communityactivity areas which promote alternative forms of transportation.

Creates a pedestrian environment through enhanced landscapes, streetscapes, and public infrastructure projects.

Achieves the community planning vision established through the Horizon 2030 EAR and 2010 Comprehensive Plan.

Addresses the guiding issues and community concerns identified in the 2009 EAR.

Provides for local, regional, and state planning priorities, principles, and practices.



The Multi-Modal Transportation Element accomplishes its goal to “provide for the mobility needs of the city’s residents, businesses, and visitors by supporting a safe, accessible, and efficient transportation system” through planning directives aimed at:

Fostering a comprehensive multi-modal system. Establishing financing strategies that fund transportation

improvements and programs. Utilizing transportation land use master planning strategies to

coordinate land use and transportation improvements. Implementing mobility transportation strategies that provide

alternative service standards in designated areas. Ensuring the area is linked through a coordinated multi-modal

transportation system. By addressing these issues, the Multi-Modal Transportation Element will promote development that better links land use and transportation planning practices and provides the community multiple transportation alternatives.



Multi-Modal Transportation Goal

Establish a multi-modal transportation system to provide the city the varied transportation alternatives, improved connectivity, and enhanced quality of life envisioned by the community planning vision.

Objective 1: Community Connectivity System Foster a comprehensive multi-modal system that provides for theneeds of pedestrians, bikers, public transportation riders, andmotorists.

Multi-Modal Goal

Policies

1.1 Community Mobility Ensure choices among modes of travel and accommodate each mode when and where it is most appropriate.

1.2 Transportation Circulation and System ConnectivityCoordinate with Brevard County and the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) in the development of a multi-modal transportation system that provides connectivity throughout the Brevard County area. The system shall focus on:

a. Roadways.b. Pedestrian and biking trails and facilities. New residential

communities shall provide sidewalks & bike paths to connect tosurrounding public sidewalks, roads and civic uses.Transit operations and facilities.c.

d. Parking availability.e. Financial feasibility.f. City Council shall make a case-by-case determination for each

requested gated community.

1.3 Transportation AlternativesEstablish a multi-modal transportation system that provides users access tooptions including walking, biking, public transportation, and driving byaddressing the connectivity between:

a. Community activity centers.b. Neighborhoods.c. Civic buildings and facilities.d. Schools.e. Parks and recreational areas.f. Conservation areas.

Establish a multi-modal transportation system to provide the city the varied transportation alternatives, improved connectivity, and enhanced quality of life envisioned by the community planning

The New Yorker



1.4 Pedestrian Transportation Network Establish pedestrian network that increases the opportunities for walking to shopping and services, institutional and recreational destinations, employment, and public transportation. Pedestrian oriented planning shall:

a. Consider the location of pedestrian-oriented facilities on a ¼ milescale.

b. Give priority to the completion of the pedestrian network thatserves neighborhood shopping, schools, public space, civic areas,and other community resources.

c. Promote a pedestrian environment through pedestrian designguidelines.

d. Ensure all development projects meet pedestrian quality standards.e. Identify and analyze high pedestrian collision locations.f. Enhance pedestrian safety through sidewalks, and walkways.

1.5 Bicycle Transportation Network Promote the bicycle as an integral feature of West Melbourne’s lifestyle by implementing a bikeway network that links together neighborhoods, commercial areas, public spaces, and other community resources. Bicycle oriented planning shall:

a. Consider the location of bicycle-oriented facilities on a ¼ mile scale.b. Encourage developers to construct end-of-trip bicycle facilities such

as bike racks, lockers, and such.c. Promote the construction of bikeway facilities that are appropriate

to the street’s classification, traffic volume, and speed limit.d. Promote a bicycle environment through multi-modal design

guidelines.e. Ensure public and private development meet a bicycle standard.f. Provide bicycle/public transportation opportunities.g. Encourage bicycle use through public awareness campaigns.h. Improve bicycle safety for bike riders, motorists, and pedestrians.

1.6 Bicycle Parking Promote bicycle racks and other parking facilities for bicyclists in the city. Bicycle parking policies shall include:

a. The city shall provide bicycle parking facilities at its propertiesfrequently visited by the general public and shall include thesefacility enhancements in its capital improvement element.

b. By 2011, the city shall amend its Land Development Regulations toensure that new development, redevelopment and any change inzoning to a commercial category shall require installation of bicycleparking facilities consistent with a set of off-street bicycle parkingstandards.

TA Studio

Locating neighborhoods or

business centers within a ¼ mile

of pedestrian destination will

create a place with highly level

of walkability.



1.7 Urban Trail Corridor Enable walkers and bikers to access activity centers throughout the Brevard County area by partnering with the regional transportation planning entities including FDOT, Brevard County and the TPO as a long term goal.

1.8 Bike Pedestrian Planning Bicycle facilities, pedestrian walkways, and associated facilities shall be included as integral components of roadways. The focus of bike-ped networks ought to connect major community centers including: residential neighborhoods; schools and libraries; employment, office, and retail commercial area; public space and recreation facilities; and public office buildings, public safety centers, and other public facilities with the prioritization being based on:

a. Extent of existing and projected need and use. b. Existing public safety problems. c. Available rights-of-way and constraints affecting the acquisition of

additional rights-of-way. d. Financial feasibility and capabilities. e. Implementation schedules in adopted bikeway plans.

1.9 Bike-Pedestrian System Expansion The city shall support the expansion of the city’s bike-pedestrian network by:

a. Identifying and executing the city’s priorities for the construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

b. Considering bike-pedestrian facilities as components of standard design criteria for new and reconstructed roadway facilities of regional significance, except for expressways and freeways, in urban areas.

c. Working with partner agencies to develop, execute, and maintain a bikeway plan for the system’s future development.

d. Implementing, maintaining, and updating the city’s 2009 sidewalk master plan.

1.10 Safe Routes to School Partner with the Brevard County School District, and other local, regional, state, and federal agencies to support planning and development efforts to make walking and bicycling to school safe and routine.

WRT

A focus on bike-ped planning will lead

safe streets and pathways which

provide for all users and

accommodate all uses.



1.11 Public Transportation Partner with Space Coast Area Transit to support public transportation services in the City of West Melbourne and the surrounding area by:

a. Fostering land use patterns that recognize the connection betweentransit and land use.

b. Identifying potential funding sources.c. Identifying the most needed routes and transit stops.d. Encouraging developments to construct transit service facilities

including:I. Shelters and benches.II. Bus pullout bays.III. Park and ride areas.

Objective 2: Financing Strategies Establish user based financing strategies are the preferred means to fund new transportation (including mass public transportation) improvements and programs.

Policies

2.1 Impact Fees or Other Development Fees The city, either in coordination with Brevard County, or through its own system, shall collect transportation impact fees for new development or redevelopment that meets the impact fee criteria.

2.2 Tax Increment Financing The city shall use revenue from the tax increment finance districts, or shall allow community development districts to be formed, to fund needed multi-modal transportation improvements within those districts.

2.3 Federal and State Funds The city shall coordinate with federal and state transportation and public transportation agencies to identify potential federal and state funds that may be eligible for transportation improvements and programs.

2.4 Alternative Funding Sources Upon request, the city shall evaluate the feasibility of special assessment districts, or other methods to fund operating, management and capital costs for both public transportation and roadway projects.



Objective 3: Transportation Land Use Master

Planning Strategies

Utilize transportation land use master planning strategies to coordinate future land use practices with the expansion and improvement of a comprehensive multi-modal transportation system.

Activity-based Transects help

identify how different

development patterns influence

walking, biking and other

community design components.

Activity-based transects can

assist West Melbourne reach its

vision for the future by outlining

how to develop multi-modal

transportation strategy and

utilize to implement the 2010

Comprehensive Plan.

Policies

3.1 Coordinated Land Use Practices and Transportation Systems Utilize the city’s long-range planning practices and development review to coordinate land use practices and transportation system expansions. The coordination of land use and transportation policies is necessary to:

a. Foster compact urban development patterns. b. Protect open space and environmental lands. c. Promote community character and design. d. Provide transportation options.

3.2 Master Transportation Planning Strategies Utilize future development practices and planning efforts to support an integrated development pattern by establishing master transportation planning strategies for the expansion and improvement of the city’s transportation system. Master transportation planning strategies:

a. Coordinated land use practices and transportation systems. b. Multi-modal developments. c. Common design theme and unifying features. d. Street landscaping and buffering. e. Pedestrian/biking environment. f. Traffic calming devices that improve walkability and reduce speeds.



3.3 Coordinate Land Use Practices and Transportation Systems Utilize the city’s long-range planning practices and development review processes to coordinate land use practices and transportation system expansions. The coordination of land use and transportation policies is necessary to achieve the community’s goals of:

a. Fostering compact urban development patterns.b. Providing integrated development patterns.c. Supporting interconnected residential areas, commercial centers,

civic areas, and public spaces.d. Preventing sprawl.e. Protecting open space.f. Promoting unique community character and design.g. Providing transportation options.h. Encouraging alternative modes of transportation.

i. Establishing a unique community identity and sense ofplace.

3.4 Multi-Modal Development Practices Utilize city’s long-range planning practices and development review to ensure that multi-modal transportation is considered within proposed developments by implementing the following practices where appropriate:

a. Mixed commercial and residential land uses.b. Pedestrian-oriented streets.c. Compact building forms.d. Short block sizes.e. Street-oriented building placements.f. Prominent civic buildings and building entrances.g. Well distributed public and private spaces.h. Integration with regional trail systems and public transportation

facilities.

3.5 Multi-Modal Development CriteriaUtilize the following criteria to identify what specific multi-modaldevelopment practices should be applied to a development site:

a. Transportation modes servicing the site—i.e.: bicycle, walking, publictransportation, and/or vehicle.

b. Local and regional market demands.c. Existing land use patterns, densities, and intensities.d. Public infrastructure.e. Neighboring uses and site design to accommodate multi-modal

features.

Conventional land use patterns

provide few transportation options

and opportunities.

Traditional land use patterns

provide a variety of diverse

transportation alternatives.

Camiros



3.6 Complete Streets Develop a comprehensive, integrated, multimodal street network by coordinating transportation planning strategies and private development activities as follows:

a. Provide safe and convenient on-site pedestrian circulation such assidewalks and crosswalks connecting buildings, parking areas andexisting or planned public sidewalks. New subdivisions andresidential communities shall provide sidewalks & bike paths toconnect to surrounding public sidewalks, roads and civic uses.

b. Require cross-access connections/easements or joint drivewayswhere available and feasible.

c. Request deeded land or conveyance of easements for publicsidewalks, bus lanes and turn out facilities or bus shelters fromdevelopers in exchange for credits toward contributions.

d. City Council shall make a case-by-case determination whether toallow a gated community.

3.7 Street Planning StandardsUtilize city’s long-range planning practices and development review topromote the development of pedestrian friendly streets by implementingneighborhood street design standards for:

a. Roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks/crosswalks.b. Urban trail and roadway linkages.c. Landscaping and street trees.d. Street furniture i.e.: lighting, benches, tables, trash receptacles.e. Context sensitive signage.f. Stormwater systems.g. Utility right-of-ways.h. Parking location ingress, egress, and capacity.

3.8 Street Beautification and Public Street Environment Promote an aesthetically pleasing neighborhood environment by defining the area, shielding unsightly infrastructure systems, and creating visual beauty through landscape and buffer standards.

3.9 Street Landscaping and Buffering Utilize the city’s long-range planning practices and development review to ensure streets are appropriately landscaped and buffered by implementing standards for:

a. Use of native, low maintenance, and drought-tolerant species.b. Shade and sitting areas.c. Incompatible uses and structures.d. Traffic noise.e. Water conservation and use of reclaimed water systems.f. Suitability of landscaping materials based on the future health and maintenance of plants,

streetscape, and other structures.

Wright Company

City of Santa Clarita



3.10 Pedestrian and Biking Safety Develop an enhanced pedestrian/biking environment that allows for the safe use of community roadways for pedestrians and bikers by working with private developers and public road crews to ensure all private and public roadway projects consider the pedestrian/biking environment’s safety.

3.11 Pedestrian/Biking Environment Provide a continuous and seamless urban trail system and enhance the pedestrian/biking environment by ensuring that roadway projects consider:

a. Wide, well-defined sidewalks.b. Bike lanes and racks.c. Pedestrian crossings location and signage.d. Street crossing widths.e. Parking amount and location.f. Shade trees and rest areas.g. Streetscape and lighting plan.h. Safe and protected walkways and bike paths.

3.12 Neighborhood Street Traffic Calming Practices Improve neighborhood roadway safety for all users by implementing traffic calming practices based upon the demands of the roadway and needs of the surrounding area. Neighborhood street traffic calming practices to be considered for use on the city’s local streets include:

a. Reduced paved street widths in neighborhoods.b. Raised / painted crosswalks and mediansc. Speed control devices and concepts.d. Landscaping and street trees.e. On street parking where identified as appropriate in the City of West

Melbourne Land Development Regulations.

3.13 Neighborhood Traffic Management Improve transportation circulation and reduce automobile accidents by implementing site appropriate neighborhood traffic management practices such as:

a. Interconnected streets and neighborhoods.b. Roundabouts, traffic circles, and dedicated turn lanes.c. Intersection improvements.d. Access management techniques.e. Coordination of signalization.f. Traffic management technologies.

Great Streets Urban Design Principles

Principle 1: Manage Congestion

Principle 2: Balanced/Active Streets

Principle 3: Streets as Places

Principle 4: Interactive Streets

Principle 5: Pride of Place

Principle 6: Public Art

EEK Architects



3.14 Parking Needs By 2011, amend the city’s land development regulations to include parking standards which consider:

a. Parking demands and desired capacityb. Concerns of surrounding neighborhoods.c. Use of multi-modal transportation system.d. Need for economic development.

3.15 Safety Considerations Utilize the site and development process to ensure a project’s development and environment study for roadway improvements addresses the safety concerns of all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, riders, and motorists.

3.16 Clean Air and Energy Efficiency Encourage the use of all modes of travel to contribute to clean air and energy efficiency. Clean air and energy efficiency practices include:

a. Sustainable, compact, mixed-use forms of development.b. Traditional neighborhood developments.c. Live-work-play housing options.d. Multi-modal transportation alternatives.e. Bike-ped transportation practices.f. Transportation demand practices.

Objective 4: Countywide Interconnectivity Ensure the City of West Melbourne and the larger Brevard County area is connected together through a coordinated multi-modal transportation system.

Policies

4.1 Multi-Modal System Coordination Coordinate with transportation planning partners including Brevard County, TPO, Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT) and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to develop a multi-modal transportation system that provides options to pedestrians, bikers, riders, and motorists.

4.2 Regional Urban Trail System Coordinate the development of a regional urban trail system with Brevard County, TPO, and other regional transportation planning partners.

4.3 Transit Coordination Coordinate public transportation needs between the city and Space Coast Area Transit.

Multi-Modal Alternatives promote

clean air by supporting reduced

auto use, increased walking,

biking, and bus ridership.

multi-modal transportation transportation

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